Ball striking head



Dec. 28, 1965 J. E. BORAH BALL STRIKING HEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1963 O T m v m JOHN E. BORAH BY M-fiflmw ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1965 J. E. BORAH 3,226,120

BALL STRIKING HEAD Filed May 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR.

JOHN E. BORAH ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,226,120 BALL STRIKING HEAD John E. Borah, 815 Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka, Ind. Filed May 3, 1963, Ser. No. 277,875 7 Claims. (Cl. 273-83) The present invention relates to a mallet and more particularly to a head for a croquet mallet and the like.

In the game of croquet, the standard or conventional mallet consists of a wooden cylindrically-shaped head with two fiat ends and a laterally extending handle positioned midway between the two ends. The ends are normally smooth and straight, presenting a flat disc-shaped surface over the entire area of each end for striking the ball. In recent years, the ends have been tipped with rubber discs which are secured firmly to the ends of the mallet and which may be provided with a series of shallow, concentric grooves or other surface configuration to enhance the appearance of the mallet. The rubber tip and surface configuration thereon, while deadening the sound of the mallet striking the ball, add little to the skill of the game or to the control or propulsion of the ball by the mallet over and above those normally provided by the standard or conventional mallet; hence, little change or improvement has occurred in the game, either in the control of the ball or in the skill required to play the game, or in the number of diiferent types of shots possible to be executed by the player. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a mallet for the game of croquet or the like, which permits a player to have complete control over the ball and to develop maximum skill and accuracy in propelling and maneuvering the ball on both short and long shots, and which is so constructed and designed that the mallet can be used to an advantage by the beginner or inexperienced player in controlling the ball for all types of shots.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a croquet mallet having a rubber tip secured to each striking end, having a center recess in the face of the mallet and an outer annular ridge adjacent the periphery, providing a socket for receiving the ball as it is struck to give the player control over the ball in making difiicult shots.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mallet having the combination of an annular rib or ridge adjacent the periphery and a center boss forming spaced ball striking points which permits the player to utilize his skill without accidentally producing an unsatisfactory shot, and with which the less than skilled player can play a satisfactory game by using the mallet to push and direct the ball for maximum control.

A further object is to provide a relatively special rubber tip construction for a croquet mallet which can be secured to one or both ends of a conventional mallet without any substantial changes being required in the mallet head construction or in the balance or weight of the head, and which can be used as a replacement on the present rubber tipped mallet heads.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and easily fabricated rubber tip for croquet mallets which can easily be mounted on and secured to the head either with or without separate securing means, and which can be readily replaced with a new tip when required, thus to maintain the mallet in optimum playing condition.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mallet head embodying the present invention;

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FIGURE 2 is an end view of the mallet head shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the mallet head shown in FIGURES l and 2, the section being taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view of the mallet head shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of the mallet head shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the section being taken on line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an end elevational view of a mallet head tip showing a further modified form of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view of the mallet head tip shown in FIGURE 7, the section being taken on line 8-8 of the latter figure;

FIGURE 9 is an elevational and partial cross sectional view of a mallet head illustrating a further modified form of the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is an inner end view of the mallet head tips illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, showing more fully the manner in which the tip is secured to the main portion of the head;

FIGURE 11 is an inner end view of the mallet head tips illustrated in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, showing more fully the manner in which the tip is secured to the main portion of the head; and

FIGURES l2 and 13 are end and side elevational views of a golf club illustrating the applicability of the present invention to the game of golf Referring more specifically to the drawings and to FIGURE 1 in particular, numeral designates generally the croquet mallet having a head 22 and handle 23 secured to the center portion of the head and projecting laterally therefrom, the handle being inserted in an inwardly extending hole in the side of the head and secured therein by any suitable means, such as interlocking threaded portions. The main portions of the head and the handle are normally constructed of hard wood and may vary in length and diameter from one croquet set to another. The foregoing portions of the croquet mallet are for the purpose of the present invention considered conventional or standard.

The present invention is primarily embodied in the two tips 24 and 26 which are secured to opposite ends of the head and which may be identical in construction or may be of different construction to provide two different types of ball striking and control means on a particular mallet. The tip 24 illustrated in the drawings consists of a cylindrical body portion 30 having an annular ridge 32 at or near the periphery of body 30 forming a recess 34 for receiving the ball. The ridge constitutes the striking surface of the mallet and serves to guide the ball throughout the stroke of the mallet for producing an accurate shot. A center protruding member 36 is seated in recess 34 which is of sufficient size to permit the ball to be engaged thereby during the maximum impact of the mallet against the ball. The tip is preferably constructed of rubber or other resilient material; however, plastic materials may be used satisfactorily. 7

Various means may be used to secure the tip to head 22, the embodiments shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 consisting of an inwardl yextending, cylindrical portion 40 with an internal flange 42 seating in an annular groove 44, thereby locking the tip to the end of head 22. Preferably the diameter of the tip and the head are the same to provide a continuous, smooth external surface on the mallet head.

Another means for securing the tip to the mallet head is illustrated in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, consisting of a 29 metal band 50 secured to the mallet by a plurality of small tacks, nails or screws 52 extending through band 50 into the wooden head. The external end of the band 50 is provided with an internal flange 53 for engaging an annular shoulder 54 on the tip, thereby holding the tip firmly against the end of the mallet head.

In using the tip shown in FIGURES 1 through 6, the ball is struck by the annular ridge 32 which, because of its relatively large area and cup-like construction, gives the player effective control over the ball and guides the ball forwardly throughout the stroke of the mallet and aligns the ball for an effective and accurate shot. Another advantage of annular ridge 32 and recess 34 is that they permit the mallet to be used to provide effectively two major ball striking points thereon, namely the annular ridge throughout its circumference, and the center boss or protruding member. The present construction can be used to advantage by beginners and inexperienced players, since the internal wall 38 of the rib tends to center an inaccurately struck ball and gives the player greater control in directing the ball to the desired position.

The modified form of the present invention illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8 is essentially the same as those previously described; however, in this modified form, greater skill is required in placing the ball accurately in the desired ultimate position. In this form, the body 60 is provided with a center protruding member 62 of substantially smaller diameter than the protruding member 36 and preferably with a shallow concave end surface 64. The annular ridge 66 is substantially the same as rib 32; however, since the center member protrudes further outwardly, the internal walls 68 of the rib can not be used as readily to control the ball as in the previously described embodiment. The tip 60 is secured to the mallet head in the same manner as illustrated in the previously described embodiments.

In FIGURE 9, the mallet head is a single body with a special end formed therein consisting of an annular ridge 70 at the periphery and a recess 72 with a protrusion at the center of the end. The entire head is constructed of rubber or other suitable material and when rubber is used, a varicolored construction and appearance is preferred. The two ends of the head may be the same or one end may be similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 and the other end similar to the embodiment of FIGURE 8.

The basic concept of the present invention can be used effectively in golf on practice putter clubs, as illustrated on putter 78 in FIGURES l2 and 13. The recessed part 82 consists of an annular rib 84, a recess 86, and center protrusion 88, and is secured to the face of the club to provide a directing action to guide the ball effectively during the stroke. This feature can be made as an integral part of the face of the club and need not necessarily be recessed therein as shown. The present type of club can be used effectively to improve the skill of the golfer, particularly in practice, since the ball must be hit accurately to obtain effective control over the ball.

While applicant has illustrated several dilferent embodiments of the invention, various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A croquet mallet comprising a generally cylindrical head with an annular groove near each end, a handle attached to said head at the center thereof and extending laterally therefrom, a tip of resilient material on each end of said head, each of said tips having a body with a relatively deep recess in the external face, a relatively small protruding ball-striking member with a concave recess in the free end thereof on said body in the center of said recess, an annular ridge on the external face of said tip near the periphery thereof, said ridge projecting further outwardly axially than said protruding member, said body having an annular skirt on its inner side, and an annular flange on the edge of said skirt for seating in said annular groove.

2. A croquet mallet comprising a head with an annular groove near one end, a handle attached to said head near the center thereof and extending laterally therefrom, a tip of resilient material on said one end of said head, said tip having a body with a recess in the external face, a relatively small protruding member on said body in the center of said recess, an annular ridge on the external face of said tip near the periphery theerof, said ridge projecting fur ther outwardly axially than said protruding member so that said ridge and protruding member will strike the ball substantially simultaneously, said body having an annular skirt on its inner side, and an annular flange on the edge of said skirt for seating in said annular groove.

3. A croquet mallet comprising a generally cylindrical head, a handle attached to said head near the center thereof and extending laterally therefrom, an end on said head of resilient material, said end having a body with a recess in the external face, a relatively small protruding ballstriking member on said body in the center of said recess, and an annular ridge on the external face of said end near the periphery thereof, said ridge projecting further outwardly axially than said protruding member.

4. A croquet mallet comprising a generally cylindrical head, a handle attached to said head near the center thereof and extending laterally therefrom, an end on said head of resilient material, said end having a disc-shaped body with a recess in the external face, a protruding ball-striking member on said body in the center of said face, and an annular rib on the external face of said end near the periphery thereof, said rib projecting further outwardly axially than said protruding member.

5. A croquet mallet comprising a generally cylindical head with an annular groove near one end, a handle attached to said head near the center thereof and extending laterally therefrom, an end on said head of a resilient material, said end having a disc-shaped body with a recess in the external face, a protruding ball-striking member on said body in the center of said face, an annular rib on the external face of said end near the periphery thereof, said body having an annular skirt on its inner side, and an annular flange on the edge of said skirt for seating in said annular groove.

6. A croquet mallet comprising a generally cylindrical head, a handle attached to said head near the center thereof and extending laterally therefrom, an end on said head of resilient material, said end having a disc-shaped body with a recess in the external face, a protruding ball-striking member on said body in the center of said face, an annular rib on the external face of said end near the periphery thereof, an annular shoulder on the peripheral surface thereof, and a band overlapping said head and being secured thereto with an internal flange at its outer end for engaging said shoulder.

7. A croquet mallet comprising a head, a handle attached to said head near the center thereof and extending laterally therefrom, an end on said head of resilient material, said end having a body with a recess in the external face, a protruding ball-striking member on said body in the center of said face, and an annular rib on the external face of said end near the periphery thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,902,660 3/1933 Nelson 27367 1,993,911 3/1935 Abrams 273-l29 2,109,639 3/1938 Hawley 273l29 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Examiner.

GERALD L. PRICE, Assistant Examiner. 

7. A CROQUET MALLET COMPRISING A HEAD, A HANDLE ATTACHED TO SAID HEAD NEAR THE CENTER THEREOF AND EXTENDING LATERALLY THEREFROM, AN END ON SAID HEAD OF RESILIENT MATERIAL, SAID END HAVING A BODY WITH A RECESS IN THE EXTERNAL FACE, A PROTRUDING BALL-STRIKING MEMBER ON SAID BODY IN THE CENTER OF SAID FACE, AND AN ANNULAR RIB ON THE EXTERNAL FACE OF SAID END NEAR THE PERIPHERY THEREOF. 